Hard-to-Count Populations

Counting Everyone Once, Only Once and in the Right Place.

The goal of the 2020 Census is to maximize the number of people who complete census forms for their households on time and accurately. Unfortunately, some populations are more difficult to reach than others. For example, the 2010 census missed almost 1 million children younger than age 5, according to the 2018 Kids Count Data Book compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Individuals, businesses, government officials and community leaders can help ensure a different outcome in 2020. By working together, these “trusted voices” can help residents overcome language barriers, distrust in government and lack of knowledge about the census. They can also educate people about how the census benefits their community and offer assistance in completing the census form.

Examples of
frequently missed or “hard-to-count” populations include:

Young children

People who frequently move from one address to another

Racial and ethnic minorities

Non-English speakers

Low-income people

People experiencing homelessness

Undocumented immigrants

People who distrust the government

Individuals that identify themselves as LGBTQ

People with mental or physical disabilities

People who do not live in traditional housing

To learn about the hard-to-count populations in your community, use these mapping tools from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Center for Urban Research at the City University of New York.